Why do you think the aurora is such a bucket list experience?
Most people know the aurora is beautiful. But… the aurora is there because the Earth’s magnetic field is protecting us from harmful radiation from the Sun. This radiation could literally kill us, but the atmosphere turns it into light, into a show for us to enjoy, and to be wowed by. It’s Earth protecting life, and I think at some deep level, humans, as part of the universe, as atoms, are aware of this.
What tips would you give people planning their own aurora-chasing trip?
Find a cabin or lodge in a location that has very dark skies. In a typical night, the aurora goes through phases. Most of the time, the phase is just a hazy glow. The most exciting time is the expansion phase, where you see structure, brightening, movement, the explosion of the aurora. This phase can sometimes last just minutes, so ideally you want to stay somewhere you can keep popping your head out rather than being in a position where you’re limited by the tours you’re going to take. By staying in the dark-sky area, you’ve got the whole night, rather than gambling it all on the few hours of a tour.
If you’re not driving and need to book a tour, do your homework. The right tour will have good local knowledge of things like light conditions, weather conditions [and] microclimates, which are a big thing in Norway [because of] the fjords. There are a lot of dodgy tours out there, so I would recommend reading the reviews.